K-ras point mutation detection as an ancillary diagnostic biomarker: 1 step forward and 2 steps back?

The diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is suboptimal, largely because of the hostile tumor microenvironment composed of dense fibrotic stroma and the presence of necrosis, leading to a tumor cell density of only 5% to 20%. The presence of well-differentiated tumor cells also complicates a cytologic assessment.1 The overall sensitivity and specificity of an EUS-FNA cytologic examination is reported to range from 79% to 95% and 86%, respectively.2,3 The uncertainty whether a result represents a false negative finding complicates medical care and was reported to be approximately 13% when the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology standardized terminology and nomenclature guidelines were applied to pancreas cytology.
Source: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research